By Martin Graham
Former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has said he dealt with a hidden injury for most of his professional career, explaining that the problem ultimately contributed to his decision to retire.
The 36-year-old striker was highly successful during his time with Real Madrid, collecting five UEFA Champions League titles and becoming one of the most decorated British players of the modern era.
Bale ended his playing career at the age of 33 shortly after representing Wales at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, he revealed the root of the problem goes back to his teenage years at Tottenham Hotspur.
“I ruptured a disc in my back when I was 18 at Tottenham,” Bale explained. “I played my whole career with it.”
Pain management and repeated calf injuries
Bale said the back condition was responsible for many of the calf problems that plagued him during his playing days.
He explained that he avoided talking about the injury publicly while still competing because he was afraid people would interpret it as an excuse.
Although the condition could be controlled, the former winger said its effects became more difficult to cope with over time.
His record transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 did not change the situation. Bale said the Spanish club were aware of the injury when he joined them.
Despite this, he remained a crucial figure during a highly successful period for the club, playing a major role in their dominance of European competitions.
The Welshman added that he had to be careful even with routine movements, explaining that he brushed his teeth while on his heels to reduce the risk of another calf strain.
Decide the right time to walk away
Bale admitted he never knew when the problem might flare up, despite the effort he made to strengthen his legs to avoid further setbacks.
When the problem got worse, treatment sometimes included injections into the back to ease the pain.
On the international scene, Bale established himself as one of the most important players in the history of Welsh football. He finished with 111 appearances and 41 goals after making his debut at 16.
He inspired Wales to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016, helped the team reach the knockout stages of UEFA Euro 2020 and scored the decisive goal against the Ukrainian national football team that qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years.
Reflecting on retirement, Bale said he felt he had achieved the goals he set for himself in football. Qualifying for the World Cup with Wales was the ultimate goal on his list.
He noted that he had already considered moving away for several years before finally announcing his retirement in January 2023 after a spell at Los Angeles FC.
The former winger also revealed that his family’s illness played a big part in his decision to end his career.
He explained that he had been thinking about his future off the pitch long before he officially stopped playing.
Since retiring, Bale has expressed an interest in football ownership and was part of a group that explored the possibility of buying hometown club Cardiff City last summer.
The approach ultimately did not move forward, and the club decided not to pursue the proposal.
However, Bale said that taking part in the ownership of the club remains an attractive option for him.
He added that coaching or management is less appealing because of the long hours involved, and said he would prefer to pursue other paths after taking time to relax and spend time with his family.
